Roland Garros Shock: Sinner’s Exit Shakes Up Men’s Draw. Jannik Sinner made a surprise exit from the French Open, losing in the second round. The battle for the title is now wide open, giving both favorites and fresh faces a real shot to change the course of the tournament.
There was an unexpected twist at Roland Garros: Jannik Sinner, considered the main favorite for the title after Carlos Alcaraz withdrew, ended his run in the second round. The Italian lost to Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, unable to cope with the heat and lingering effects of illness. This result completely changed the balance of power in the men's draw and gave an opportunity to those previously seen as outsiders.
Now, most attention has shifted to Novak Djokovic. The Serbian, who recently turned 39, remains the only participant in the tournament with Grand Slam titles. Despite his age and well-known struggles with heat, Djokovic now has a real chance to move closer to a record 25th title. His next opponent is young Brazilian Joao Fonseca, and the weather conditions in Paris will provide an additional challenge. If Djokovic gets through this stage, his chances of success will rise significantly, especially given the forecasted drop in temperatures next week.
Among the main contenders is Alexander Zverev. The German tennis player has come close to winning a major several times but has yet to take a Grand Slam title. Last year, he lost to Djokovic in the Roland Garros quarterfinals, and in 2020, he missed out on victory in the US Open final after leading in sets. Zverev is now a favorite on paper, but pressure and psychological barriers could play a role again. On his side of the draw are also Casper Ruud and Spanish talent Rafael Jodar. Ruud has reached the Paris final twice, while 19-year-old Jodar is rapidly gaining momentum and has already attracted the attention of experts. According to Toni Nadal, Jodar is the most promising young player of his generation, and his path could cross with Zverev's as soon as the quarterfinals.
At the top of the draw, where Sinner played, the situation has become even less predictable. Felix Auger-Aliassime remains here, but the Canadian has not shown consistent form this season. Ben Shelton, another seeded player, has also exited the competition. Against this backdrop, several unseeded players have come to the fore, including the Cerundolo brothers and 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame. The latter has been the real discovery of the tournament, becoming one of the youngest participants in the third round in Roland Garros history. Kouame, a native of a Paris suburb, plays brightly and freely, drawing packed crowds. However, experts doubt he can reach the final and repeat the success of Yannick Noah, who remains the last French champion since 1983.
This edition of Roland Garros has already become one of the most unpredictable in recent years. The absence of clear favorites and the early exits of leaders are paving the way for new names and building intrigue for fans. Analysis by russpain.com suggests that such upsets happen not only in tennis: in basketball, the recent victory of Kosner Baskonia over Real Madrid was also a surprise for many — you can find out more in the article about Luwawu-Cabarrot's key match. In the coming days, the sports world's attention will be focused on Paris, where every match could change the course of the tournament and determine the new champion.
For reference: Roland Garros is the second Grand Slam tournament of the season, traditionally held on the clay courts of Paris. Spanish tennis players have achieved notable success throughout the tournament’s history, and it is considered one of the most challenging due to the surface and weather conditions. In 2026, the race for the title promises to be especially intense due to the lack of a clear leader and the emergence of new strong players.
